No one is required to speak up, but there will be opportunities to do so.

Thank you for joining us for the Secular Coalition for Minnesota monthly conference call!

The Secular Coalition for America is the only 501(c)(4) lobbying organization representing secular and nontheistic Americans.

Based in Washington DC, we are working to make sure that you are heard on Capitol Hill, on the federal level, yet some of the most egregious violations of separation of church and state are being promoted and passed at a state level.

The Secular Coalition for America is forming state chapters across the country to bring together secular and nontheistic Americans in each state to lobby on secular issues.

State Government Update - November Elections

U.S. Senate

Senator Amy Klobuchar running for re-election Democrat, first elected in 2006 Predicted to win

U.S. House

All 8 seats in the U.S. House are up for election The Democratic Party holds 4 seats and the Republican Party holds 4 seats

State Senate

All 67 seats up for election Republican party currently holds a 37-30 majority Possible chamber majority switch: 16 incumbent senators have been paired together and there will be eight open seats with no incumbent.

State House of Representatives

All 134 seats up for election Republican party currently holds a 72-61 majority Possibly chamber majority switch: 30 incumbent representatives have been paired together and there will be 15 open seats with no incumbent

Issues/Events

2012 Ballot Constitutional Amendment: “Shall the Mississippi Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as marriage in Mississippi?”

Mississippi United for All Families- coalition including faith organizations, advocating to vote against this amendment

Any other issues or events?

Chapter Development Status

Leadership

Executive Committee

Flexible to availability and strengths of individuals who want to get involved

Co-Chair Duties: Scheduling state coalition meetings as necessary, Building relationships with local organizations and keeping them informed; Scheduling and Coordinating trainings; Ensuring compliance with all SCA policies (listed in the chapter manual soon to be finished); Assisting with fundraising and ensuring donations are sent to the SCA; Contact person for SCA Research and Advocacy Manager; Upholding the respectful, diplomatic, and non-partisan approach of the Secular Coalition

Communications Chair Duties: Official press releases; Letters to the Editor; Working with LD on action alerts; Coordinating messaging with SCA; Acting as spokesperson; Available for interviews or local speaking engagements; Draft action alerts with Leg. chair